Georgia Native Plant Society
@ganativeplants.bsky.social
Our mission is to promote the stewardship and conservation of Georgia's native plants and their habitats. We grow people who love native plants!
Learn more at www.gnps.org.
Learn more at www.gnps.org.
Black oak (Quercus velutina) is a large oak in the red oak group that resembles red oak (Q. rubra). It seems to be tolerant of a range of soils. Widely distributed in Georgia, it grows to 50-110' tall, depending on conditions. Leaves mostly turn a yellow/brown in fall. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Black oak (Quercus velutina) is a large oak in the red oak group that resembles red oak (Q. rubra). It seems to be tolerant of a range of soils. Widely distributed in Georgia, it grows to 50-110' tall, depending on conditions. Leaves mostly turn a yellow/brown in fall. (1/2) #nativeplants
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving! #nativeplants
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving! #nativeplants
Another heavily used parking lot tree is pin oak (Quercus palustris). Considered a medium-sized oak (up to 70'), it is naturally found in lowlands and bottomlands - but in only one county in Georgia. It appears to tolerate pollution and have a reasonably good growth rate. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Another heavily used parking lot tree is pin oak (Quercus palustris). Considered a medium-sized oak (up to 70'), it is naturally found in lowlands and bottomlands - but in only one county in Georgia. It appears to tolerate pollution and have a reasonably good growth rate. (1/2) #nativeplants
Another oak popping up in planned landscaped areas is Nuttall oak (Quercus texana). According to USDA, this one has no native presence in Georgia, but you’re sure to see it if you start looking around. It has gorgeous fall color, striped acorns and a good shape. #nativeplants
November 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Another oak popping up in planned landscaped areas is Nuttall oak (Quercus texana). According to USDA, this one has no native presence in Georgia, but you’re sure to see it if you start looking around. It has gorgeous fall color, striped acorns and a good shape. #nativeplants
One oak that is getting use in parking lots and urban areas is Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). It has a scattered range in Georgia, but apparently does well in urban environments. It has also has good fall color and the acorn crop is pretty good, but they do take two years to mature. #nativeplants
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
One oak that is getting use in parking lots and urban areas is Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). It has a scattered range in Georgia, but apparently does well in urban environments. It has also has good fall color and the acorn crop is pretty good, but they do take two years to mature. #nativeplants
Post oak (Quercus stellata) is a member of the white oak group with thick, lobed leaves and small, oval-shaped acorns that ripen in a single year. This medium-sized tree is found throughout Georgia. The leaf shape is interesting... (1/2) #nativeplants
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Post oak (Quercus stellata) is a member of the white oak group with thick, lobed leaves and small, oval-shaped acorns that ripen in a single year. This medium-sized tree is found throughout Georgia. The leaf shape is interesting... (1/2) #nativeplants
Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), a large and handsome shade tree with an attractive shape, is widely distributed throughout Georgia. The large leaves are glossy and variable in shape in terms of size and number of lobes but are pubescent (has small hairs) on the back. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), a large and handsome shade tree with an attractive shape, is widely distributed throughout Georgia. The large leaves are glossy and variable in shape in terms of size and number of lobes but are pubescent (has small hairs) on the back. (1/2) #nativeplants
Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) is distinctive for the way the cup of the acorn almost completely encloses the nut itself. Also known as swamp post oak, this species is found on poorly drained southern river flood plains, but is adaptable and gets some use in landscaped areas... (1/2) #nativeplants
November 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) is distinctive for the way the cup of the acorn almost completely encloses the nut itself. Also known as swamp post oak, this species is found on poorly drained southern river flood plains, but is adaptable and gets some use in landscaped areas... (1/2) #nativeplants
This is scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea). Compared to Northern red oak (Quercus rubra), scarlet oak has reliably better fall color, deeper sinuses on the leaves, and acorns with concentric rings around the apex of the acorn. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This is scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea). Compared to Northern red oak (Quercus rubra), scarlet oak has reliably better fall color, deeper sinuses on the leaves, and acorns with concentric rings around the apex of the acorn. (1/2) #nativeplants
Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) are similar looking species with overlapping ranges in Georgia (all of the upper half of the state). Both can have excellent fall color. Deep, vibrant reds that seem to glow in the fall sun are showing up now. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) are similar looking species with overlapping ranges in Georgia (all of the upper half of the state). Both can have excellent fall color. Deep, vibrant reds that seem to glow in the fall sun are showing up now. (1/2) #nativeplants
Showing good fall color now is white oak (Quercus alba). Native throughout Georgia, this large hardwood is an important source of food for wildlife. Oaks in the white oak group produce acorns each year; as a result of only growing one year, they are lower in tannin... (1/2) #nativeplants
November 18, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Showing good fall color now is white oak (Quercus alba). Native throughout Georgia, this large hardwood is an important source of food for wildlife. Oaks in the white oak group produce acorns each year; as a result of only growing one year, they are lower in tannin... (1/2) #nativeplants
Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) can have wonderful fall color. On any individual tree, the range of color from one leaf to the next can vary. The fall fruit adds to the beauty and is very popular with birds. The first picture is a species tree while the second picture is a cultivar. #nativeplants
November 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) can have wonderful fall color. On any individual tree, the range of color from one leaf to the next can vary. The fall fruit adds to the beauty and is very popular with birds. The first picture is a species tree while the second picture is a cultivar. #nativeplants
The leaves and seeds of tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) have mostly fallen now. The tulip-shaped flower of spring forms a “cone-shaped aggregate of winged seeds” that breaks apart to disperse the seeds when ripe, usually in late fall. #nativeplants
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The leaves and seeds of tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) have mostly fallen now. The tulip-shaped flower of spring forms a “cone-shaped aggregate of winged seeds” that breaks apart to disperse the seeds when ripe, usually in late fall. #nativeplants
Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a small to medium sized tree. It is praised for its tasty summer fruit which is popular with both humans and birds. It also has beautiful spring flowers. Now add gorgeous fall color and it becomes a real winner, especially for smaller gardens. #nativeplants
November 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a small to medium sized tree. It is praised for its tasty summer fruit which is popular with both humans and birds. It also has beautiful spring flowers. Now add gorgeous fall color and it becomes a real winner, especially for smaller gardens. #nativeplants
Our native blueberry (Vaccinium) is one food plant that doubles as an awesome fall color shrub. This picture, taken in Cherokee county, shows just how beautiful its leaves can be. Choose it for the fruit, keep it for the fall color! This is highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). #nativeplants
November 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Our native blueberry (Vaccinium) is one food plant that doubles as an awesome fall color shrub. This picture, taken in Cherokee county, shows just how beautiful its leaves can be. Choose it for the fruit, keep it for the fall color! This is highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). #nativeplants
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a large native shrub with attractive fall fruit and foliage. Native throughout the state, it is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions although it suckers a bit when happy. The flowers in spring are beautiful so it is a good multi-season plant. #nativeplants
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a large native shrub with attractive fall fruit and foliage. Native throughout the state, it is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions although it suckers a bit when happy. The flowers in spring are beautiful so it is a good multi-season plant. #nativeplants
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is also known as musclewood, ironwood, or blue-beech. It is a small to medium-sized tree found in moist woods. American hornbeam’s small leaves can be brightly colored or more muted (shown from two different years). (1/2) #nativeplants
November 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is also known as musclewood, ironwood, or blue-beech. It is a small to medium-sized tree found in moist woods. American hornbeam’s small leaves can be brightly colored or more muted (shown from two different years). (1/2) #nativeplants
With their large size, trees make incredible fall color displays and the native sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the best in Georgia. Although largely found in the northern half of Georgia, it still has a presence in the Coastal Plain, even into the panhandle of Florida. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
With their large size, trees make incredible fall color displays and the native sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the best in Georgia. Although largely found in the northern half of Georgia, it still has a presence in the Coastal Plain, even into the panhandle of Florida. (1/2) #nativeplants
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is the plant in our logo and we love it: it is a beautiful 4-season plant. In spring, it has beautiful flowers; in summer, it has handsome foliage; in fall, it has gorgeous fall color; and in winter, it has beautiful, exfoliating bark. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is the plant in our logo and we love it: it is a beautiful 4-season plant. In spring, it has beautiful flowers; in summer, it has handsome foliage; in fall, it has gorgeous fall color; and in winter, it has beautiful, exfoliating bark. (1/2) #nativeplants
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a tree of some distinction if you get a chance to see its warty bark. Without that characteristic, it probably would not be noticed as its leaves are modest and nondescript, its flowers small, and the berries tiny and high above most people. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a tree of some distinction if you get a chance to see its warty bark. Without that characteristic, it probably would not be noticed as its leaves are modest and nondescript, its flowers small, and the berries tiny and high above most people. (1/2) #nativeplants
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is our latest native shrub to bloom – November is normal for these fanciful crinkles of gold to appear in deciduous woodlands. Found throughout Georgia, this shrub is in the Hamamelidaceae family which includes Fothergilla (witchalder). (1/2) #nativeplants
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is our latest native shrub to bloom – November is normal for these fanciful crinkles of gold to appear in deciduous woodlands. Found throughout Georgia, this shrub is in the Hamamelidaceae family which includes Fothergilla (witchalder). (1/2) #nativeplants
This is smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) putting on a show in north Georgia, but you can see it on roadsides throughout the upper half of Georgia. This one is absent of the flame-shaped clusters of rusty fruits. A second photo shows the fruits on a plant that already dropped its leaves. #nativeplants
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This is smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) putting on a show in north Georgia, but you can see it on roadsides throughout the upper half of Georgia. This one is absent of the flame-shaped clusters of rusty fruits. A second photo shows the fruits on a plant that already dropped its leaves. #nativeplants
Hickory gold is an important part of fall color. These tall hardwoods are also an important part of north Georgia forests (with some species extending into the Coastal Plain). Hickories provide nuts for wildlife and are host plants for over 200 species of moths and butterflies. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 6, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Hickory gold is an important part of fall color. These tall hardwoods are also an important part of north Georgia forests (with some species extending into the Coastal Plain). Hickories provide nuts for wildlife and are host plants for over 200 species of moths and butterflies. (1/2) #nativeplants
This is green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a tall hardwood with pale yellow fall color, sometimes with just a tinge of pale purple. Native range is fairly widespread in Georgia. It is currently at risk by the emerald ash borer, however, a pest that is now in Georgia. #nativeplants
November 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This is green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a tall hardwood with pale yellow fall color, sometimes with just a tinge of pale purple. Native range is fairly widespread in Georgia. It is currently at risk by the emerald ash borer, however, a pest that is now in Georgia. #nativeplants
This one is a two-fer: good fall color and fruit! This is flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida, formerly Cornus florida). In addition to beautiful spring flowers, this small tree has fruit for the birds and outstanding fall color. This native tree is a real winner for small yards. #nativeplants
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This one is a two-fer: good fall color and fruit! This is flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida, formerly Cornus florida). In addition to beautiful spring flowers, this small tree has fruit for the birds and outstanding fall color. This native tree is a real winner for small yards. #nativeplants